GROWING EDIBLE MUSHROOMS
Introduction

Mushrooms are a group of fleshy saprophytic fungi that are found growing on dead
organic matter. Over 10,000 species of mushrooms are believed to be found naturally growing
in moist, damp forests and soils rich in organic matter throughout the world. Among these,
some are edible while others are toxic. A few species of mushrooms are known for their
medicinal properties as well and hence they are known as medicinal mushrooms.
A growing mushroom initially forms a minute fruiting body during its initial
developmental stages. This fruiting body is called a pin because of its small size and this
developmental stage is known as pin-stage. Later when these pins grow in size, they are called
buttons. This stage during mushroom development is known as button-stage. Once buttons are
formed, mushrooms grow or expand rapidly into enlarged fruiting bodies and caps. Some mushrooms expand overnight while others grow slowly.